Monday, September 24, 2012

Two Chinese ships have entered waters around Japan-administered islands in the East China Sea, the Japanese coastguard said, as tensions mount over the disputed chain. Tensions escalated dramatically after the Japanese government bought three of them from their private owners.

As of 7.00am, two Chinese maritime surveillance ships were spotted in waters off Kubashima and Uotsurijima, it said, adding that four patrol ships were in "contiguous" waters just outside the territory.

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The ships' entry came a day after Beijing postponed a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Japan because of the ongoing dispute.